Holiday villas in Tuscany

While most of Tuscany shares a distinct cultural identity, the geography of the region is surprisingly diverse, from the splendours of its western coastline to the breathtaking mountains of the north. Where you end up on your villa holiday in 2023 then, depends entirely on what kind of backdrop you’re after.

If you’re looking for a scenic base that will easily get you to most of the region’s top draws, whether that’s cities like historic Florence and medieval Lucca or the vineyards of Chianti and the pici pasta of Montepulciano, central Tuscany is the place to be. Think sleepy San Miniato or historic Poggibonsi.

For those of you eager to explore the Tuscan coast – pleasant all year round but at its scorching best during the summer (avoid this period for cheaper villas) – take your pick from the many seaside towns that can be found here. In the south, Castiglione della Pescaia is ideal for a lazy beach break, while up north, Viareggio ticks off everything you need for a family holiday.

Alternatively, if you’re after flexibility, namely the ability to enjoy both the stillness and quiet of rural Tuscany and the buzz of the region’s cities, we recommend you book a villa in one Tuscany’s charming provinces. Consider, for example, the likes of Florence, Pisa and Siena, each respectively home to iconic regional capitals of the same name. While you can expect to pay a bit more on your rented villa, the convenience of location is priceless.

Elsewhere, Tuscany is sprinkled with endless delights. An even slower pace of life, which is a quintessential characteristic of the region, is possible in the hilly UNESCO World Heritage Site Val d’Orcia. Meanwhile, in Saturnia – towards the southern fringes of Tuscany – you’ll be met with wild, untouched beauty and hot springs. Finally, for pure escapism, book a villa in the little-known Bagno a Ripoli. With very little to distract you except the views, it’s a small slice of pure Italian bliss.

Whichever wonderful chunk of Tuscany you choose, a relaxing villa holiday in Italy does not get any better than this.